Fork and spoon holder.



W. W. BUTLER.

FORK AND SPOON HOLDER. Arrmonlon FILED MAY 19, 1909.

943,5 1 7. Patented Dec. 14, 1909.

WILLIAM W. BUTLER), OF AUSTINBURG, OHIO.

FORK AND SPOON HOLDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 19, 1909.

Patented Dec. 14:, 1909.

Serial No. 497,050.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, TVILLIAM V. BUTLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Austinburg, in the county of Ashtabula and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fork and Spoon Holders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a fork or spoon holder designed for supporting a fork or spoon from the rim of a bowl, platter or other similar vessels, to prevent the same from slipping down into the vessel.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and effective device of this character which is adapted to be inexpensively made of wire/ The invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure l is a perspective view showing the device in use for supporting a spoon from the rim of a bowl. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device detached.

The holder embodying my invention comprises a clasp 1 formed of a pair of parallel U-shaped jaws 2 and 3. These jaws are formed by bending the body portion of a single piece of wire. It will be observed that the jaw 2 is formed from the intermediate portion of the wire, while the jaw is formed by one of the end portions thereof. The outer vertical arms of the two jaws are connected at their upper ends by a curved connecting portion l, forming therewith an embracing loop 5, while the free end of the inner arm of the jaw 3 forming the extremity of the wire is provided with a downturned or hook-shaped portion (3 bearing against the inner side of the contiguous arm of the jaw 2 and forming therewith a similar embracing loop 7. The portion 6 may be soldered to the said contiguous arm of the jaw "2, and by bearing against the same is reinforced, whereby ample strength is secured without the necessity of prolonging the parts and making a cumbersome connection between them. The clasp as thus constructed is adapted to straddle or embrace the rim portion of a bowl 8, plate or other similar vessel, as shown in Fig. 1, and may be readily applied and removed.

From the upper end of the inner side arm of the jaw 2 extends a supporting arm 9 projecting at an oblique angle so as to lie inside of the rim of the bowl or vessel when the clasp is engaged therewith. The free end of this supporting arm is bent to provide a U-shaped clip 10 provided with an elastic sleeve 11, adapted to receive and engage the stem portion of the handle 12 of a spoon, fork or other similar table implement i the spring grip of the clip and the elasticity of the sleeve serving to hold the implement securely against slipping, while permitting of its ready application and removal.

From the foregoing description, the construction and mode of use of my improved holder will be readily understood, and it will be seen that it provides a device which may be conveniently and inexpensively formed from wire, which may be readily applied to and removed from a receptacle, and which is adapted to hold a spoon, fork or like table implement securely in position and prevent it from slipping down into the receptacle.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is 1. A holder of the character described formed from a single piece of wire bent to provide a clasp comprising spaced parallel U-shaped jaws having connecting portions at their upper ends, and an arm extending obliquely from one of said jaws and provided at its free end with a clip.

2. A holder of the character described formed from a single piece of wire bent to provide a clasp, said clasp consisting of two U-shaped jaws having their outer arms joined by a connecting portion and forming a loop therewith, one of said aws having its inner arm provided with a hook bearing against the inner arm of the other jaw and forming a companion loop, a supporting arm extending at an oblique angle from the latter-named arm, and a U-shaped clip at the free end of said supporting arm.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\VILLIAM W. BUTLER.

Witnesses HENRY Means, Bnnrrnon DENISON. 

